Personal Development at Read St John’s

Sowing the seeds of tomorrow, growing in the light of the Lord

At Read St John’s C.E. Primary School, personal development is an important part of school life. We want every child to grow in confidence, develop positive relationships, discover their talents and interests, and be well prepared for the next stage of their education and life beyond primary school.

Our personal development programme runs throughout the curriculum, collective worship, PSHE, extra-curricular activities, educational visits and wider school experiences. It supports pupils to develop spiritually, morally, socially and culturally, while learning to make responsible choices, respect others and contribute positively to their community.

Our provision is organised around five strands.

1. Civic Engagement – Making a Difference

We encourage pupils to understand their responsibilities, contribute to school life and recognise that their actions can make a difference to others.

Opportunities include:

School Council elections and pupil voice.
ECO Warriors and environmental projects.
Mini Police for pupils in Years 5 and 6.
Class charities and fundraising for causes that matter to pupils.
Supporting the Blackburn Diocese Harvest Appeal, Children in Need, Jeans for Genes and Class charities/causes.
Remembrance activities and involvement in our local community.

Through these experiences, pupils develop responsibility, service, compassion and an understanding of democracy, rules and the importance of helping others.

2. Arts and Culture – Discovering Our Talents

Pupils are given opportunities to experience different cultures, express themselves creatively and develop their interests.

Our provision includes:

Choir, dance and performances.
The Year 6 school play and Reception and Key Stage 1 nativity.
Whole-school visits to performances, including the Christmas pantomime.
World Book Day, the Scholastic Book Fair and reading activities.
LGS Concert opportunities.
European Day of Languages and learning about languages and cultures.
Black History Month, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Inter Faith Week, International Women’s Day and French Bastille Day.

These experiences broaden pupils’ horizons, celebrate diversity and help them appreciate the contributions of different people and cultures.

3. Nature, Outdoors and Adventure – Exploring Our World

We provide opportunities for pupils to explore the natural world, learn about their local area and develop independence and resilience.

Activities include:

Gardening Club and environmental projects.
ECO Warriors and recycling and upcycling activities.
Local walks and opportunities to learn about our community.
Reception farm visit and the Year 1 visit to Blackpool Zoo.
Year 3 outdoor learning opportunities.
The Year 6 Winmarleigh residential.
Learning about nature, sustainability, energy and water awareness.

These experiences help pupils develop curiosity, teamwork, resilience and respect for the world around them.

4. Sport and Physical Activities – Keeping Active

We encourage all pupils to enjoy physical activity, develop their skills and experience the benefits of teamwork, perseverance and healthy competition.

Opportunities include:

Sports Day and whole-school physical activities.
Mr Gavin’s Sport Club, dance and multi-sports opportunities.
Football club and football competitions.
Netball club and netball competitions.
Curling competitions.
A wide range of sporting competitions organised through our school sports partnership.
Learning about health, wellbeing and making healthy choices.

We want pupils to recognise the importance of physical health, develop confidence and understand the value of cooperation, fair play and perseverance.

5. Wider Life and Future Skills – Preparing for Life

We help pupils develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need to keep themselves safe, build positive relationships and make informed choices.

Our programme includes:

PSHE covering health and wellbeing, identity, relationships, community, aspirations, money and life in the wider world.
Relationships education appropriate to pupils’ ages and stages.
Online safety and E-Safety Day.
Picture News and discussion of current issues.
Learning about protected characteristics, equality, diversity and fundamental British values.
Careers Week and opportunities to learn about different jobs and future aspirations.
Road safety and fire safety education.
Mental health and wellbeing activities, including Children’s Mental Health Week.
Transition activities that help pupils prepare for the next stage of their education.
Collective worship, reflection and opportunities to consider our school values.

Pupils are supported to understand their rights and responsibilities, recognise unsafe situations, seek help when needed and treat others with dignity and respect.

Wellbeing, Inclusion and Support for Every Child

Personal development is for every pupil. We aim to ensure that all children, including those who may face additional barriers to participation, can access meaningful opportunities and develop their individual strengths.

Staff support pupils’ social and emotional development and help them build confidence, resilience, independence and positive relationships. We consider pupils’ individual needs when planning activities and make appropriate adjustments so that they can participate as fully as possible.

We want every child to feel safe, valued, included and able to ask for help when they need it.

Our Christian Values

Our Christian ethos underpins our approach to personal development. Through collective worship, the curriculum and daily interactions, we encourage pupils to live out our school values:

Trust • Respect • Compassion • Responsibility • Perseverance • Friendship • Service • Forgiveness

We want our children to leave Read St John’s as thoughtful, respectful and responsible young people who understand themselves, care about others and are ready to make a positive contribution to the wider world.

Every child. Every opportunity. Every day.